Judith Ann Meek Lindley

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, peril, or the sword?…But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, …nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8: 35 - 39

Judith Meek Lindley passed from this earth into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, May 24th, 2021, where she was reunited with her husband, Pat Lindley, of 59 years, and son, Craig, who passed away at eight years of age.

Judy was born on February 10, 1944 in Mount Vernon, Tex., to Melba and Bill Meek, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 62. Early in her sophomore year, in 1959, her mother was killed in the locally infamous Mount Vernon High School bus wreck that claimed eight student and educators’ lives. In 1961, she married Pat Lindley, and they made Mount Vernon home, becoming a productive team, working together in a family dairy business and being awarded the Franklin County Distinguished Agriculturalist Award in 1992.  Building a life and a family, Judy and Pat had three children: Todd, Kim, and Craig, of whom she was so proud and loved with all her heart.

When Craig died at the age of eight, Judy threw herself into a college education, working diligently as a mother and student, and graduating from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M) with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics, and she received her Masters of Science in Education in 1986.  As a math teacher at the Mount Vernon Junior High, she took much pride in her students. In later years she found genuine pleasure in keeping up with her students through Facebook.

As an educator, Judy was tapped by the MVISD administration to modernize the district’s technology. Joining the administrative team as MVISD Technology Director, she oversaw the installation of servers, classroom computers, and software for all grade levels and for teachers and administrators. Under her tenure computers became a mainstay in the Mount Vernon classroom. She was credited for doing an outstanding job of ushering the district into the 21st century. 

In spite of early heartaches Judy lived an over-coming life, filled with faith and substantive achievements and devotion to family. She had a lifestyle of working for improvements for Mount Vernon, both civically and educationally, and in honoring others by nominating them for awards and inductions to preserve the memory of ‘their’ contributions. This brought her great satisfaction. Judy quietly helped individuals in their struggles. Her serious focus made her extremely effective in accomplishing much in her job and for her community, making a difference in all of our lives.

Civically, Judy was a charter member of the Mount Vernon Key Club, giving women in Franklin County an avenue for service. Through the Key Club, she was a driving force in the creation of the Franklin County Library, energizing its support and literally typing the first library cards from a living room with other Key Club members. She helped create what is now CountryFest ~~~ the largest Franklin County community event of the year. Judy was instrumental in the creation of the Mount Vernon Bus Wreck Memorial on the MVISD campus, honoring the lives that were lost. She was a visionary and helped create the MVISD League of Honor and promoted many names to be honored. She actively supported the creation of the Mount Vernon Education Foundation, and served as a past president of the Parent-Teacher Association.

A faithful member of First Baptist Church, Judy and Pat funded the construction of the youth worship center because she believed the youth needed a designated building of their own. Dedicated in memory of their son, Craig, the worship center has been extensively used for the youth of Mount Vernon. Her interest in young people continued to her last days as she sought out and helped secure scholarships for a particularly worthy student seeking a college education because she valued the student’s character and desire for a college education.

In retirement, Judy enjoyed the Mount Vernon Retired Teachers Association. She co-founded Coe and Co., a unique antique and gift store, where her business skills and wisdom were greatly valued. Many Mount Vernon women enjoyed shopping there, visiting, and participated in lively discussions at the Coe and Co. book club.

Judy was never happier than when she could spend time with her children and grandchildren. She took each grandchild on a trip of their choice at age 10 and was immensely proud of their accomplishments. She made Christmas incredibly special from festive decorations to family recipes. And along the way, she was a dedicated family historian, tracing family history and making sure her legacy of life had roots and wings.

As documented above, Judy was an overcomer. Initially given six months to live in 2014, she fought the good fight for seven years against cancer. During this time she saw the birth of two more precious grandchildren. Overcoming was a consistent character trait, built into her fabric, and an example to us all.

Several years ago she gave a testimony to The Fellowship Class at First Baptist Church. She strongly believed in the effectiveness of the Fellowship Class’s prayers. Usually very private about her life, Judy felt the Lord was compelling her to share her testimony about how the Lord sustains those whose faith is in Him. The implication was that even after heartbreaking tragedies, one is able to carry on “because He lives.” She told about being in her little boy’s hospital room one night, down on the floor praying for him. After a while she felt like the Lord was saying, “It’s going to be alright. it’s going to be alright.” She said that even though he passed away, it was “alright, just like the Lord had said.” Judy’s “faith became sight” on May 24th, 2021.

Judy is survived by her devoted children and grandchildren, son, Todd Patrick Lindley and partner Jana Magee and children Alexandra, Isabella, and Sophia; daughter, Kim Lindley Bourdon and husband Chris and children Genevieve and Patrick Bourdon; son, Craig Benton Lindley predeceased her in 1978; a brother, Jim Meek and wife Betty; and numerous extended family and friends in the community. Judy was also predeceased by her parents Bill Meek, Melba Meek, Loree Meek, and a brother, Kenneth Meek.

A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 28 at the First Baptist Church of Mount Vernon. Burial will follow at the Mount Vernon City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 27 at Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home.

If desired, contributions in her memory may be made to the Children’s Building Fund First Baptist Church (903-537-2322);  the Mt. Vernon ISD Education Foundation (mvisdeducationfoundation.org); or to Cypress Basin Hospice (903-577-1510).

You may pay your respects online at: www.samharveyfuneralhome.com.

Services entrusted to Sam B. Harvey Funeral Home.

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